Float control for automatic washers



March 7, 1950 M. L. BOWMAN FLOAT CONTRQL FOR AUTOIATIC WASHERS Filed Kay 10, 1948 INVEN TOR. MEI. V/N L. BOWMAN FIG. 4.

FIG.

35 TIMER A T TORNE Y Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOAT CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC WASHERS Melvin L. Bowman, Sierra Madre, cam. Application May 10, 1948, Serial No. 26,034 4 Claims. (01. 200-84) This invention relates to automatic controls and more especially to a fluid control for automatic'machlnes such as washers.

An object of my invention is to provide a simple, practical and inexpensive mechanism of the character described.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic fluid control for washing machines and the like, eilective at a selected one of a plurality of cycles of operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid control or liquid level control for automatic washing machines having a normal fluid level whereby at a selected cycle of operation a different fluid or liquid level may be obtained.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an automatic control of the character described which may be added to conventional machines as an attachment without requiring reconstruction of other essential parts.

Other objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig; l is a partial elevation view of an automatic washing machine illustrating my invention associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged. partial elevation view, partly in section, showing my invention.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the part shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of a circuit which includes the mechanism of Figs, 1 to 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing I show a machine l such as an automatic washing machine having a tub or cylinder I, the stationary portion of which is indicated by that numeral 'into which extends a shaft l2 for turning an imperforate rotary container for clothes. A pulley i3 is mounted on shaft l2 and driven by a belt H from a motor not shown. A stand-pipe I5 is in communication with cylinder or tub II, and a float I6 is movable vertically in pipe I 5 and moves upwardly and downwardly with the fluid or liquid level therein in tub II.

A float rod I1 is connected to float l6 and extends through an aperture IS in a valve lever l9 pivoted at 20 to the housing of a switch 2| carried by bracket 2| suitably mounted on cylinder A pair of adjustable clips 22 and 23 are provided' on float rod l1 and engage lever IQ for actuating switch 2| which is connected by wiring 24 to the solenoid of an inlet valve for admitting water to tub ll. Thus when water has been a switch arm,

drained from tub ll, float it will drop and clip 23 will engage lever arm l9 to actuate switch 2| for controlling the water inlet valve to open position to admit water to the tub. When the water has been admitted to the normal level, float l6 will rise, and clip 22 will move lever arm I! to close the inlet valve and shut oil the flow of water into tub I The water level determined by clip 22 is a normal level for soaking and also for rinsing the clothes, however I have found that this level is ordinarily higher than is desirable for the washing cycle, and in order to effect this desirable level I have provided the following described mechanism. A bracket 25 is suitably mounted on lever arm l9 and carries a hook 26 which is pivoted at 21 to bracket 25 and has an arm 28 which extends through a saddle 29 carried by the armature 30 of a solenoid 3| suitably mounted on cylinder II. A collar 32 is adjustably mounted as by set screw 33 on float rod l1 and has a recessed upper surface 34 which is adapted to engage hook 26 when solenoid 3| is actuated.

Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically the portion of the electrical circuit pertaining to my invention which includes timer 35, hot water control solenoid .36, wash cycle control solenoid SI, and main switch 31,

The operation of the invention should be apparent from the foregoing description. It will be understood that float switch 2| will normally be actuated by clips 22 and 23 on rod I! when the tub II is supplied with water from electrically actuated inlet valves controlled by timer 35. Solenoid 36 indicates one of such valve control means such as for the hot water or washing cycle of the washing machine, and solenoid ill will be actuated simultaneously with solenoid 36 to move the hook lever 26 to a position to be engaged by collar 32 such that as float l6 continues to rise a small amount but less than enough for engagement of clip 22 with lever l9, lever l9 will be moved upwardly to a position to actuate switch 2| to close the inlet valve, thereby shutting ofl the flow of water into the tub for maintaming a lower level than occurs when clip 22 causes movement of lever 9 to actuate switch 2 I. It will be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative rather than restrictive of my invention and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having described my invention what I claim is: 1. In float control mechanism having a switch, a float rod and actuating means on said rod engageable with said arm for actuating said switch, the combination of a lever pivotally mounted on said arm, a solenoid for actuating said lever and a collar on said rod engageable with said lever when said solenoid is actuated whereby said shoulder and lever engagement provides auxiliary means of actuating said switch.

2. In float control mechanism having a switch, a switch arm, a float rod and actuating means on said rod engageable with said arm for actuating said switch, the combination of a hook lever pivotally mounted on said arm, a solenoid for actuating said lever and a collar on said rod engageable with said lever book when said solenoid is actuated whereby said shoulder and hook lever engagement provides auxiliary means of actuating said switch.

3. In float control mechanism having a switch, a switch arm, a float rod and actuating means on said rod engageable with said arm for actuating said switch, the combination of a hook lever pivotally mounted on said arm', a solenoid for ac- 4. In float control mechanism having a switch, a. a switch arm, a float rod and actuating means on said rod engageable with said arm for actuating said switch, the combination of a hook lever pivotally mounted on said arm, a solenoid for actuating said lever and a collar on said rod engageable with said lever hook when said solenoid is actuated whereby said shoulder and hook lever engagement provides auxiliary means of actuating said switch, said solenoid having an armature provided with a strap and said lever being engageable with said armature strap.

. MELVIN L. BOWMAN.

No references cited. 

